Air Traffic Controller Salary in Greeley, CO: $161,877 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Greeley, CO earns a median $161,877/year (≈ $77.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Greeley's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $154,169 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, Greeley, Colorado, is projected to offer an annual salary of $161,877 for air traffic controllers, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national median of $151,886. This robust salary structure caters to a salary range extending from $93,888 for the bottom 10th percentile to $244,626 at the 90th percentile, illustrating significant potential for earnings growth. These figures are derived from state-level assessments and adjusted for the regional cost of living, which in Greeley is slightly above the national average. With air traffic controller certification often taking between 1 to 3 years to achieve full pay as a Certified Professional Controller (CPC), positions in Greeley can be particularly appealing for aspiring controllers. This makes the local job market for air traffic controllers a noteworthy consideration for those seeking stability and competitive compensation in the aviation sector.
About the Greeley Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,888 | $45.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,551 | $56.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $161,877 | $77.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $207,203 | $99.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $244,626 | $117.61 |
Median Salary Position
6.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greeley
In Greeley, CO, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $150,738 (2026 est.). At $161,877, the local median is 6.58% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greeley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Greeley Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Greeley median: $161,877/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greeley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $163,018 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +6.58% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Greeley, CO earn a median of $161,877 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.58% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.70% below the Colorado state average of $163,018.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greeley has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greeley, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $161,877 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $154,169 — a 4.76% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$131,081
2025 BLS Actual
$157,821
2026 Current Est.
$161,877
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Greeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,081 | Actual |
| 2020 | $138,999 | Actual |
| 2021 | $138,285 | Actual |
| 2022 | $140,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $146,417 | Actual |
| 2024 | $154,248 | Actual |
| 2025 | $157,821 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,877 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,037 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greeley metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $131,081 (2019) to $157,821 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,037 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,956 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greeley metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.57% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $93,888 – $116,551 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,551 – $161,877 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $161,877 – $207,203 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $207,203 – $244,626 |
ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual air traffic controller compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Air Traffic Controller Job Market in Greeley
In Greeley, there are currently 26 air traffic controllers navigating a job market that balances demand with a cost-of-living index of 105. This index suggests that while salaries are competitive, it's vital for controllers to focus on maximizing their take-home pay, which can be influenced by factors such as shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and facility types. Among local employers, FAA en route centers typically provide the highest salaries, while positions at FAA airport traffic control towers may offer less. The disparity in pay is primarily driven by the facility level and CPC certification status, where developmental controllers earn comparatively less until they establish full certification. Strategies for improving compensation include seeking positions at higher-tier facilities, making the most of overtime shifts, and capitalizing on any available locality pay adjustments. Understanding these dynamics within Greeley's air traffic controller pay landscape can greatly impact one's overall earning potential.
More salary data for Greeley, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Greeley, CO in 2026?
Is Greeley, CO a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Greeley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Greeley?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Greeley?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
Written by Jordan Lee, ATO
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience as an air traffic controller. He specializes in terminal area control at a major airport.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $157,821 for air traffic controllersin the Greeley metropolitan area. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Greeley is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov